D.C. MOON
2821 FAIRMONT BOULEVARD
CLEVELAND, OHIO
July 1, 1937
Dear Charles,
The “Dolly Varden” Article I thank you for. It runs me right back to youth - with memories never to be forgotten.
I was about eleven when Col. J. Condit Smith & Simpson came from New Jersey to promote and build the line. The former was the real master. Your father and mine both became directors and done their part toward helping it cross the highlands of good old Chaut Co. I of course was filled with the glowing thoughts and followed its progress with pleasure – not then dreaming it would start me on a 61 year career of active work on the – later NY Central lines -
I went to Cassadaga Lake early in Spring of 1871. To help them lay track and during the day climbed on to the locomotive. Rode the first trip over Glasgo Bridge and my first ride on an engine
I was not invited to get on but a pocket full of apples kept the Engineer from kicking me off as I slowly worked up the steps to peer and work my way in
Ten days later – track reached MOONs on May 24, 1871. Father arranged a celebration at our new brick home – with special train from Dunkirk and Fredonia – He invited others from Jamestown and along the line. Several hundred came and a very joyous occasion . Cannon, speeches, two brass bands. Lunch we prepared with help of neighbors – a real hurrah!
In June track reached Falconer and a passenger train began to serve Jamestown – primarily the people wanted an outlet to Buffalo, instead of Andrew Smiths old stage line –
Jamestown then in progress of its growth was always very friendly to the "Dolly V –
I learned telegraphy – the following winter at Moons – was used at various stations as Relief Opr and Agent – and the next winter – a very severe one – I worked several months at Falconer as Opr – and helper to Will Falconer – the Agent – In mean time road & service had extended to Warren – Then – one Sunday I left my tel key open a couple of hours.
Fortunately no train delay but when I discovered & closed Mr Clute – Asst Supt – was on my neck, quick and called me everything. I thought it was over but the next morning after No 1 left a tall young man about 23 walks in – asked if my name – Moon, Yes
A letter from Clute – I see it now “The bearer Chas E Cobb will relieve you forth with and until further notice”
Good night – a very sorrowful boy went home and back to Dist No 10 School – thinking my “career” at an end – But lady luck – Three weeks later a heavy thaw & rain washed up the line – I was watching all trains passing near by – My mind was weak on my studies – when a work train stopped and Mr Thayer General Supt – came and called me out asking if I would go with him and cut in telegraph at broken places – Would I – In three mins we were on our way back to work. My dinner pail & books sent home by a neighbor and I but then not knowing it was a graduate from that Alphabetic College, never to go back – but without Diploma – We cut in at several washouts “Then to Fentonville Swamp where “Old Conewango over flowed two miles of track – slow to rise and slow to fall – After three weeks line was open again – and I expected to return home but was ordered by Mr Clute to report at Fredonia to help him as operator – clerk &C – Supposedly temporary – but I remained – became train dispatcher and with offices moved to Dunkirk in 1876. – I have rode and run locomotives and about every thing else many years on the “Dolly Varden” and became Supt in Full Charge – Traffic, maintenance, operation – in the Nineties with Chauncy DePew Prest – it was a great experience and benefit to me in my promotions there after
And when for many years General Manager of the LS&MS I have had many good laughs over early days & experiences – I had a pretty good understanding of all Rail Road work – and it often came in very handy in my 61 years of active service. I could talk the language from traffic – freight – or passenger – engines, operations – accounting – construction &C – learned primarily on the “Dolly Varden” – I have picked up wrecks, run snow plows, repaired bridges and washouts – constructed about 50 millions worth of new lines and all to gether a fairly busy life but I turn back to old Chaut Co and the Dolly V – for happy days
Fine old time friends and among them the live business people of Jamestown continued to give me a lot of business when I was Supt as they had my predecessors. I – 40 years ago knew them all – The Broadheads – Halls- Dowe – Stevens – Townsends – Wade Fisher – Clarence Sloan W U Mang[r?] – formerly opr on the Dolly V – Capt Grandin – Capt Fred Hyde – Oh – a lot of them – but they have mostly gone over – but I often think of those days – of good old Jamestown and good old Chaut County – I love them and it and I have a cemetery lot at Fredonia within 20 rods of my old friend – the Dolly Varden Rail Road
So up and down is life and likewise of the Rail Road – a very busy little line for years. It is passing away for other transportation methods like we old people pass away for younger people to take our places – and all soon forgotten.
With best wishes to all
Sincerely D C Moon
The letter was written to "Charles", last name unknown, whose father was one of the original directors.
Moons is a station on the Dunkirk, Allegany Valley and Pittsburgh Railroad.